The Decisive Moment

Ansel Adams is one of my all time favourite photographic heroes. He was truly a master of light and (although completely the opposite to how I enjoy taking photographs) his incredibly detailed, scientific approach to the craft was nothing short of genius.

I often spend hours studying his photographs and love to read about how he achieved his awe inspiring photos.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to have found an interactive presentation of a selection of his Yosemite photographs with narration supplied by his former assistant Andrea Stillman. It’s enlightening, very entertaining and if you’re even the slightest bit interested in Ansel’s work you should head on over and take a look:

Ansel Adams’s Yosemite - by The New York Times.

If you have a couple of minutes, read this article on the BBC website. If you have a few more minutes, visit the Magnum Photos website and read a little more about this great photographer.

Be inspired.

In 1954, Robert Capa died still believing that the negatives he left behind in his Paris studio when he fled the Nazi invasion had been lost forever.

The New York Times has published the story of how Capa’s negatives resurfaced and the implications of the discovery. One of the most intriguing elements of the story is the question of whether Capa’s arguably most famous photograph (Death of a Loyalist Soldier) was actually “faked” and the hope that these negatives may answer this once and for all.

It is a fascinating story.

Okay, so this is not actually a book review, on account of the book not yet being published. But I’m really excited with the anticipation of getting my hands on a copy the second it is available. I’m hoping I can pass the excitement on to a few more people.

Karsh was (in my humble opinion) a true master of the art of portrait photography. His images of such icons as Churchill (Karsh took away his cigar!) and Einstein (in a sweater!) are sublime. I choose these two examples because the photographs are icons in their own right, making them almost icon squared, if you see what I mean.

I’m always a little envious of those who have the opportunity to photograph such universally recognizable people, but I don’t believe that makes it any easier to take a brilliant portrait. If anything, it probably makes it even harder, with expectations being that much higher.

Anyway, Karsh - right at the top of the heap (with a few other heroes), so do yourself a favour and get hold of this book as soon as you can. And someone, somewhere, put on an exhibition of his work and let me know about it.